Class
Article
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology Department
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Givens
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the entire planet. It has been found that South Asia is highly susceptible to the negative consequences of climate change, making it one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. In addition, agriculture makes up the majority of this region's economy, which accounts for the vast majority of GDP. A handful of individuals also occupy an area of arable land that is smaller than 0.1 hectares in size. As a result, local people in the South Asian region, particularly farmers, have utilized a variety of coping and adaptation tactics for a significant amount of time in order to lessen the consequences of climate change and survive in the harsh climate. The major aims of this study were to explore how the local community (farmers)in South Asia perceive climate change and how they use various coping and adaptation strategies against it. This study was based on reviewing existing literature, including both primary and secondary research. The findings of this study show that the term ‘climate change’ is not familiar to the studied population, but the respondent shared their experiences of what changes they are observing in their areas. The majority of the studies found that respondents reported that they observe higher temperatures, lower rainfall, changes in the pattern of rainfall, more floods occurring compared to the past, hot days increasing and cold days decreasing, etc., and this is how they understand climate change. The studies also found a variety of perceptions regarding the reason for climate change. Finally, it is found that due to the effects of climate change, farmers in South Asian countries follow various coping and adaptation strategies. Among these strategies, diversification of crops, harvesting and planting time change based on rainfall, and short-season cropping are the most common strategies in South Asian countries. This study recommends further extensive studies in or among South Asian countries to explore how other communities understand climate change and how do they respond to it. Moreover, further studies also need to explore how climate change affects agricultural production, which in turn affects the psychological well-being of the farmers. Finally, it will be interesting to explore whether various local coping and adaptation strategies have any significant effect on natural resource management or whether these strategies cause any harm to other communities living in the same areas.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2023 10:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2023 11:30 AM
Included in
Climate Change in South Asia: A Review of Perceptions, Coping, and Adaptation Strategies
Logan, UT
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the entire planet. It has been found that South Asia is highly susceptible to the negative consequences of climate change, making it one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. In addition, agriculture makes up the majority of this region's economy, which accounts for the vast majority of GDP. A handful of individuals also occupy an area of arable land that is smaller than 0.1 hectares in size. As a result, local people in the South Asian region, particularly farmers, have utilized a variety of coping and adaptation tactics for a significant amount of time in order to lessen the consequences of climate change and survive in the harsh climate. The major aims of this study were to explore how the local community (farmers)in South Asia perceive climate change and how they use various coping and adaptation strategies against it. This study was based on reviewing existing literature, including both primary and secondary research. The findings of this study show that the term ‘climate change’ is not familiar to the studied population, but the respondent shared their experiences of what changes they are observing in their areas. The majority of the studies found that respondents reported that they observe higher temperatures, lower rainfall, changes in the pattern of rainfall, more floods occurring compared to the past, hot days increasing and cold days decreasing, etc., and this is how they understand climate change. The studies also found a variety of perceptions regarding the reason for climate change. Finally, it is found that due to the effects of climate change, farmers in South Asian countries follow various coping and adaptation strategies. Among these strategies, diversification of crops, harvesting and planting time change based on rainfall, and short-season cropping are the most common strategies in South Asian countries. This study recommends further extensive studies in or among South Asian countries to explore how other communities understand climate change and how do they respond to it. Moreover, further studies also need to explore how climate change affects agricultural production, which in turn affects the psychological well-being of the farmers. Finally, it will be interesting to explore whether various local coping and adaptation strategies have any significant effect on natural resource management or whether these strategies cause any harm to other communities living in the same areas.